The Church’s Assurance of Victory

GOLDEN TEXT: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us; unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” —Ephesians 3:20,21

JOHN 20:26-29

IN THE resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, his consecrated followers have a wonderful assurance of ultimate victory through him. It is, indeed, an assurance not only for the church, but for mankind in general. Paul said on Mars’ Hill that God has given assurance unto all men in that he path raised Jesus from the dead. (Acts 17:31) Paul wrote that if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is vain, our faith is vain, we are yet in our sins, and that those who have died as Christians have perished.—I Cor. 15:14-18

The historian Luke wrote that after his resurrection Jesus showed himself to his disciples by many infallible proofs. (Acts 1:3) One of these “infallible proofs,” called a “sign” by John, was the demonstration to doubting Thomas, who had demanded to see the crucifixion wounds in the body of Jesus. (John 20:29,30) Jesus had explained to his disciples that he would give his flesh for the life of the world. (John 6:51) He was not raised from the dead as a human being, but as a glorious divine being; so the body shown to Thomas was not Jesus’ resurrection body.

Among the many infallible “signs” were the various appearances of Jesus to Mary and to his disciples—as a gardener, and as a stranger. These saw no nail prints, no wounded side. It was by Jesus’ words and actions that they were convinced of his identity, and that their Lord and Master had been raised from the dead. But the faith of Thomas was not sufficient to lay hold upon these “signs” at the words of the disciples, so Jesus gave him the sort of demonstration he demanded.

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

At the time of Paul’s conversion he also was given an “infallible proof” of Jesus’ resurrection. He tells us that he saw him as one “born out of due time.” (I Cor.15:8) The reference here is to the birth of the Spirit in the resurrection. Those who experience this birth in the “first resurrection” will be able to see Jesus “as he is,” for they will be like him. (I John 3:2) But just a brief glimpse of the glorified Jesus by Paul, while he himself was in the flesh, affected his eyesight.

Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ high exaltation when he was raised from the dead is beautifully set forth in our lesson. He explains that such exaltation, from death to a position at his own right hand in the heavenlies, called for the exercise of God’s almighty power. And Jesus truly was raised to a high position, “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”

Our Golden Text speaks of the “power that worketh in us.” This is the “power” which God “wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.” In Philippians 3:10 Paul refers to this as the “power of his [Christ’s] resurrection.” Paul gladly suffered the loss of all earthly things in order that he might experience the working of this mighty power in his life, and also in the resurrection.

In order to partake of Christ’s resurrection, and be made like him and share his glory, it is essential that we suffer and die with him. Paul speaks of this as being “planted together in the likeness of his death,” with the assurance that if we are faithful in this “we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”—Rom. 6:3-5

There are many promises in the Bible pertaining to this glorious reward in the resurrection. Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you.” He promised to come again and receive his disciples unto himself, “that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) The hope of such a high exaltation is described by Paul as the “hope of the glory of God.” (Rom. 5:2) Jesus described it as a “crown of life,” which he promised to all who would he “faithful unto death.”—Rev.2:10

However, this heavenly hope in which the faithful followers of Jesus rejoice is not God’s provision for mankind in general. The church class is exalted in the resurrection to live and reign with Christ as the instrumentality through which “all the families of the earth” will be blessed with restored human life on the earth; as many, that is, as accept Christ, and obey the laws of his kingdom.

QUESTIONS

How is the resurrection of Jesus an assurance of victory for his followers?

Was Jesus raised from the dead in the flesh?

What was Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ resurrection?

What is the “power of his resurrection”?

Does the Bible hold out a heavenly hope for all mankind?

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